Did you know that Hixon House served as a dormitory for about 20 young women just after WWII? At that time, there was a housing shortage and women attending the Vocational School (WTC) and the Teachers College (UWL) had no place to live. Alice Green Hixon decided to make the unoccupied house available to them. These “dorm girls” were literally bunked up in the many upstairs bedrooms and supervised by a house mother named Bessie Bacon. This year we are creating an end-of-term holiday party set in the year of 1947, and there will be foil wreaths and bubble lights, festive big band sounds, and lots of punch! Step back in time with us to join the post-war gaiety at a young people’s party.

November 21-23 and December 5-7. Fridays 4-6 pm, Saturdays 11am-3pm, Sundays 12-4 pm.

Complimentary punch and cookies available in the Visitors Center afterwards!

Tickets: LCHS Members $12, Students $6, Seniors $16, Adults $18.

The Trolley Express Tour - Believe in the Magic!

Join us on a brand new, family-focused trolley tour that captures the wonder of the holiday season — because when it comes to holiday magic, you have to believe!

From sparkling lights to timeless holiday traditions, step aboard this magical trolley experience through La Crosse. This 2.5-hour journey begins at Explore La Crosse, 123 7th Street South, where you’ll board the trolley and head to the Rivoli Arts District. There, guests will enjoy a delicious meal from Pizzeria Dolorosa, film a personalized holiday greeting with a festive backdrop, and little ones can get creative with seasonal craft-making.

As the evening continues, the trolley will whisk you straight into the dazzling Rotary Lights, where millions of twinkling displays bring Riverside Park to life. From there, you’ll step back in time at the historic Hixon House. While this is not a full house tour, you’ll get a charming glimpse of how Christmas looked like in the 1940s. In the family room, Santa himself will be waiting to greet each child with a keepsake holiday gift, before everyone warms up with cookies and hot chocolate and heads back to Explore La Crosse.